Book Review: The Ginger Star

Cover by Andrew Hou, for once showing Eric John Stark with his correct skin tone.

Book Review: The Ginger Star by Leigh Brackett Skaith is a dying world. Its sun, once a vibrant red, has faded to a brownish ginger and the warmth reaching the surface has ebbed over the centuries. Slowly, the civilizations that once fared over the globe have moved away from the increasingly frozen poles towards the… Continue reading Book Review: The Ginger Star

Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case

Philo and Doris compare notes.

Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case (1935) directed by Edwin L. Marin We begin our story with urbane amateur detective Philo Vance (Paul Lukas) fencing with his manservant Currie (Eric Blore). This is part of Vance’s recent exercise kick, and Currie has been dragged into it as well. More relevantly to the plot, an anonymous letter… Continue reading Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case

Open Thread: Top Ten Lists for 2024!

Created for me by Indigo Caldwell; please do not reuse without permission.

Open Thread: Top Ten Lists for 2024! Well, that was certainly a year, wasn’t it? Before we step into the dreaded new year, let’s take a look back at what you, my faithful readers, looked at the most in 2024 Top Ten Posts in 2024 For the first time ever, books do not dominate the… Continue reading Open Thread: Top Ten Lists for 2024!

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

"Honey, did you ever wonder if we're living in a Daphne Du Maurier story?"

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) directed by Chris Columbus Once upon a time, there was an Ugly Muggle named Harry. The Muggle family he lived with neglected, bullied and abused him because he was so bad at being a Muggle. But then one day a friendly giant appeared, and revealed to Harry… Continue reading Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Manga Review: Skip-Beat! Volumes 7-8-9

Manga Review: Skip-Beat! Volumes 7-8-9 by Yoshiki Nakamura Note: This review contains spoilers for previous volumes. If you are unfamiliar with the series, you may want to read earlier reviews instead. Quick recap:  Kyoko Mogami dropped out of school and moved to Tokyo to support her beloved Sho as he tried to break into show… Continue reading Manga Review: Skip-Beat! Volumes 7-8-9

Anime Review: The Stories of Girls Who Couldn’t Be Magicians

The Magic Research Club members might be offputting, but they're not bad people.

Anime Review: The Stories of Girls Who Couldn’t Be Magicians When Kurumi Mirai was little, she met a mysterious woman in the woods. This woman was a magician, and showed off her power in a cool way. She said that anyone could become a magician, and Kurumi pledged that she too would be a magician… Continue reading Anime Review: The Stories of Girls Who Couldn’t Be Magicians

Movie Review: Kramer vs. Kramer

Ted Kramer checks the mail for good news.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) dir. Robert Benton Today was supposed to be one of the five best days in Ted Kramer’s (Dustin Hoffman) life. His hard work and long hours at the high-powered Manhattan advertising agency where he works have finally paid off with a major account and a fast track to promotion. When he gets… Continue reading Movie Review: Kramer vs. Kramer

Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter

Persephone plays the harp while waiting for the main plot to begin.

Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter Quick recap: The Greek gods are real, in that they’re energy beings who periodically reincarnate in human bodies. Most of the gods are hostile to humanity, but Athena is its protector. Currently she inhabits the body of Saori Kiddo, an heiress who was raised in Japan. Saori/Athena is served… Continue reading Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter

Book Review: Mary Poppins Opens the Door

Book Review: Mary Poppins Opens the Door by P.L. Travers It is the Fifth of November (remember, remember) and a foggy day in London town. The fog is particularly thick in the Banks household, where things have gone from Bad to Worse since Mary Poppins left the second time. Indeed, it’s so thick that chronically… Continue reading Book Review: Mary Poppins Opens the Door

Movie Review: Lord of War

Yuri contemplates the source of his wealth.

Movie Review: Lord of War (2005) directed by Andrew Niccol Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) is not the protagonist’s real name. He is a Ukranian immigrant (as a child) who grew up in a rough neighborhood infested with gangsters. On day he witnessed a mob hit, and came to the realization that he could make steady money… Continue reading Movie Review: Lord of War